TWO young men accused of murdering two youths who died in house fire in Margate today made their first appearance at Crown Court.

Daniel Parry, 20, of Approach Road, Margate, and a 17-year-old, also from Margate, spoke only to confirm their names.

Lawyers representing them at Maidstone Crown Court indicated that they would both be pleading not guilty to the charges.

Bearded Parry and the teenager were remanded in custody until October 6 when pleas will be formally entered.

Judge Andrew Patience, QC, made an order that the teenager should not be identified, but told his counsel Danny Moore: “It is a matter which must be kept under review from time to time because I have to balance matters you put properly before me with the public interest.”

The bodies of David Slater and James Mullins, both 18, were found in a third floor flat in Grosvenor Place following a fire in the early hours of July 26. James’s twin brother Michael is being treated for serious burns at a hospital in East Grinstead.

A post mortem examination showed that David, of Grosvenor Place, and James, of Palmer Crescent, died from smoke inhalation.